THE LATE LORD RHONDDA

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1849, 6 July 1918, Page 3

THE LATE LORD RHONDDA

Lord Rhondda, British Fond Controller, died at London on Wednesday.

None of the men of business who joined Air Lloyd George's Government held a higher position in the commercial world than Lord Rhondda. Bqrn at Aherdare sixty-two years ago, Mr D. A. Thomas, as he was Indore his elevation to the Peerage in 101(i, became Liberal member for Merthyr Tydvil in 1888, and represented the constituency for twenty-two years. For many years lie has been a leading man amongst the great coal owners of Great Britain, and he not only controlled half a dozen collieries, hut was a director of transport, railway, and mercantile trading companies, and some time hack he hud made large purchases of enemy undertakings, which have been run since as purely British concerns. When Mr Lloyd George became Minister of Munitions, Mr'. D. A. Thomas visited America to organise the supply of munitions. When Mr Lloyd George formed his Government, he invited Lord Rhondda to the position of President of the Local Government Board. In that position he devoted his attention more particularly to the question of housing and public health —with especial reference to the care of child life. He was appointed Food Controller on 15th June, 1917. Recently he resigned his office owing to illhealth, but his resignation was not accepted, and on regaining normal health he again took up his duties. Lord Rhondda was-married in 1882, hut there is no heir, his only child being a daughter, wife of Sir Humphrey Maekworth.